KARACHI – Internet users across Karachi and several other cities in Pakistan have been experiencing significantly slower internet speeds for the past few days, with many reporting difficulties accessing various social media platforms. The slowdown has left users frustrated, with services like WhatsApp and Facebook struggling to function smoothly.
Despite widespread complaints, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to issue an official statement to address the concerns, leaving many puzzled about the cause of the slowdown. Some reports have suggested that the issue might be related to the installation of firewalls or ongoing surveillance measures on the internet.
PTA’s Previous Statement on Internet Restorations
Earlier this year, in response to a major disruption in internet services caused by damage to submarine cables in August, the PTA had assured the public that the issue had been resolved. The damaged cables were repaired, and internet services were fully restored across the country. However, recent reports of slow speeds have sparked renewed uncertainty over the reliability of the internet infrastructure and its potential causes.
Causes Behind Slow Internet: Experts Weigh In
In the midst of growing confusion, Sajjad Syed, Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), has commented on the ongoing internet issues. He suggested that the slow internet speeds might be a result of recent firewall installations and that the situation could be resolved within the next three months.
Syed explained that if users are able to send text messages on WhatsApp, but experience issues when sending images or videos, it could be due to ongoing monitoring or surveillance. He noted that such surveillance measures or the installation of firewalls are common in many countries around the world, but the implementation in Pakistan might be facing procedural challenges.
Impact on IT Workers and Internet Access
Sajjad Syed also pointed out that fixed-line internet services have not been significantly impacted, and full-time IT workers with reliable broadband connections are not facing major issues. However, part-time IT workers and others relying on mobile internet or unreliable connections are experiencing disruptions due to the limited availability of stable fixed-line services.
Despite the frustrations, Syed rejected claims that IT companies in Pakistan are leaving the country due to internet speed issues. He assured that the challenges were temporary and that the IT sector remained robust despite the current setbacks.
Conclusion: A Temporary Setback
While the exact cause of the internet slowdown remains unclear, Karachi and other cities are facing a temporary yet significant disruption in internet services. PTA is expected to provide more clarity on the situation in the coming days. In the meantime, experts like Sajjad Syed remain hopeful that the issues will be resolved within a few months, allowing for smoother and more reliable internet access across Pakistan.
